March 9, 2022

War: How Conflict Shaped Us

March 9, 2022 — War has always been a force for change between countries and within society. The relationship between society and war is cyclical as war influences the language people use, how places are named, and encourages social changes. Despite being a mostly destructive force, war forces all individuals to contribute to their society: sometimes in non-traditional ways.

March 8, 2022

China's Military Strategy for a 'New Era': Some Change, More Continuity, and Tantalizing Hints

In 2019, China’s Central Military Commission adopted a new strategy for the People’s Liberation Army, titled the ‘military strategic guidelines for the new era.’ This was consistent with the past but framed by Xi’s political consolidation, growing threats from the United States and Taiwan, and a new military structure. This article documents the strategy and asks what would drive a more fundamental adjustment. It concludes that the strategy reflected a determination to focus the PLA on the necessary and the achievable, but a new direction could be influenced by changes in the strategic landscape, rapid modernization, or new operational concepts.

March 7, 2022

Can the West Apply Enough Pressure to End the War in Ukraine Without Further Provoking Vladimir Putin?

The U.S. and its allies should begin thinking now about what an acceptable diplomatic outcome would look like.

March 2, 2022

Defense Strategy and a Strategy of Denial?

March 2, 2022 — U.S. grand strategy for contesting China’s aggression must be redefined. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, U.S. defense policy has lacked focus. Elbridge Colby argues that U.S. defense policy should have three main areas of focus: defending Taiwan against a Chinese invasion, increase its nuclear deterrence capabilities, and low-expense counter-terrorism efforts.

Feb. 16, 2022

Responding to China: The Case For Global Justice and Democratic Socialism

February 16, 2022 — Western countries are still struggling to define their attitude towards the Beijing regime. In this talk, Thomas Piketty argued Western countries may find it difficult to meet the Chinese challenge if they stick to their usual lecturing posture and dated hyper-capitalist model. The event was held February 16, 2022, from 1200-1300, on the Strategic Multilayer Assessment platform. 

Feb. 10, 2022

Putin Likes to Talk About Russians and Ukrainians as "One People." Here's the Deeper History

For centuries, Moscow has worried that foreign powers are scheming to separate Ukraine from Russia.

Feb. 7, 2022

Registration Now Open for the 2022 Program for Emerging Leaders (PEL)

Applications for the 2022 Class of the Program for Emerging Leaders (PEL) will be accepted through midnight on 1 March 2022. PEL aims to foster a community of rising U.S. government leaders with the knowledge and skillset to respond to the dangers of WMD.

Feb. 2, 2022

How can the Department of Defense catch up with the CCP within 6 months?

February 2, 2022 — In a session on February 2, 2022, Nicolas M. Chaillan discussed how the Department of Defense can catch up with China. Nicholas M. Chaillan served as the first U.S. Air Force and Space Force Chief Software Officer. The event ran from 1200-1300 on the Strategic Multilayer Assessment platform. 

Jan. 27, 2022

Regional Competition and the Future of Russia-Turkey Relations

Western observers are increasingly worried and puzzled by the apparent rapprochement between Vladimir Putin’s Russia and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s Turkey, which is taking place despite an escalating Russo-Turkish competition for influence extending from North Africa through southeastern Europe and the Caucasus to Central Asia.

Jan. 26, 2022

Updating Defeat Mechanisms

“The advocates of Maneuver Warfare claimed all the positive virtues of operational art and castigated attrition as the artless application of raw force.”